The Wisdom of Giving Chapter Four

Chapter Four

The Fourth Question: How Should We Practise Giving?

第四章 第四问：如何布施？

Original Sutra

如是說已。毘耶娑仙。合掌向佛而作是言：如來世尊，一切智人，以相應語說布施報，已作利益安樂眾生。又復世尊，云何布施不失果報？有人持戒，有不持戒，二俱施與，此義云何？

佛言：大仙，汝今善聽布施報法。若有心信，一切施與，故名布施。不畏未來而行布施，不輕毀他行布施者，乃名布施。大仙當知，若復有人不簡福田，若有戒人，若無戒人，心信開眼，生愛念已，捨物施與，心常普緣一切眾生。大仙當知，彼人施主。

大仙當知，有五種施，施主滿足。何等為五？一者時施，二者施行人，三者施病人及瞻病者，四者施法器，五者施欲行異國土者，是為五種。

復有五施。何等為五？一者法施，二者資生施，三者屋宅施，四者燈明施，五者香鬘施，是為五種。

The Fourth Question: How Should We Practise Give?

After hearing the Buddha's previous teaching, Veda Vyasa respectfully joined his palms and asked:

"World-Honored One, You have explained the fruits of generosity and brought benefit and happiness to countless beings. Yet I still wish to ask: How should one practise generosity without losing its merit? Some people observe the precepts while others do not. If both receive the same gift, how should this be understood?"

The Buddha replied:

"Great Sage, listen carefully. If one gives with sincere faith, that is true generosity. One gives without worrying about the future. One gives without judging or looking down upon others. Such giving is true giving.

Whether the recipient observes the precepts or not, one should give with faith, loving-kindness, and an impartial heart that embraces all beings. Such a person is a true giver."

From the Buddha's answer, three principles of true generosity may be understood:

Three Principles of True Giving

1. Give with a pure and sincere heart.

2. Give without worrying about future gain or loss.

3. Give without judging, criticizing, or discriminating against others.

True generosity does not depend upon who receives the gift, but upon the purity of the giver's heart.

The Buddha then continued by describing ten kinds of giving that especially benefit others and bring happiness to society.

Ten Forms of Giving that Bring Happiness

1. Helping people at the right time.

2. Supporting travellers.

3. Caring for the sick and those who care for them.

4. Supporting those who seek the Dharma.

5. Supporting those who travel abroad to pursue learning.

6. Sharing the Dharma and knowledge.

7. Providing the necessities of life.

8. Offering shelter.

9. Giving light.

10. Offering incense, flowers, and other pure offerings.

听完佛陀前面的开示之后，毗耶娑恭敬合掌，再次向佛陀请问：

“世尊，您已经详细说明了布施的果报，利益安乐无量众生。我还想请问：怎样布施，才能不失去布施的功德？有人持戒，也有人不持戒，如果同样接受布施，这其中的道理又是什么？”

佛陀回答说：

“大仙，你应当仔细听。凡是以真诚信心布施，就是真正的布施；布施时，不忧虑未来；布施时，不轻视、不毁谤他人，这才是真正的布施。

无论受施的人是否持戒，都应当以信心、慈悲心和平等心布施，不分别福田，不分别对象，心常普缘一切众生。这样的人，才是真正的施主。”

根据佛陀的回答，可以归纳出真正布施的三个原则：

真正布施的三个原则

1. 以清净、真诚的信心布施。

2. 布施时，不忧虑未来的得失。

3. 布施时，不分别、不轻视、不批评任何人。

真正的布施，不在于选择布施给谁，而在于布施者是否拥有一颗平等、慈悲、清净的心。

随后，佛陀又进一步讲述了十种能够利益众生、带来安乐的布施。

十种令人安乐的布施

1. 在适当的时候帮助别人。

2. 帮助远行的人。

3. 照顾病人及护理病人的人。

4. 护持求法、求觉悟的人。

5. 资助到异国求学、求法的人。

6. 布施佛法与知识。

7. 帮助生活困难的人。

8. 提供住所，帮助无家可归的人。

9. 布施光明。

10. 布施香花等清净供养。